Dieter Haas Prize for Scientific Imaging

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new award within the Swiss Society for Microbiology: the Dieter Haas Prize for Scientific Imaging, a recognition dedicated to celebrating the beauty, precision, and creativity of scientific imagery in microbiology.

About the Prize

Scientific imaging sits at the intersection of rigorous observation and visual storytelling. From microscopy to macrophotography, the images produced by our community not only advance knowledge but inspire wonder. The Dieter Haas Prize honours this tradition by spotlighting outstanding visual work from SSM members.

• 2026 Contest : Inaugural Edition

Given that 2026 is already well underway, we are launching a first, special edition of the contest open for submissions after the general meeting until the end of November 2026.

This inaugural edition will feature a Jury Prize only. The winning image will be featured on the homepage of the SSM website and the winner will receive a cash prize of CHF 250.

• From 2027 Onwards: Full Contest Format

Starting in 2027, the contest will open at the beginning of each year, with awards presented during the SSM General Meeting (late August / early September).

The full format will include two prizes:

• 🏆 Jury Prize (selected by an expert panel)
• 🌟 Public Prize (voted by the SSM community)

Each winner will have their image displayed on the SSM website and will receive CHF 250.

Eligibility & Submission Rules

Participation is open exclusively to SSM members.

Submissions must meet the following requirements:

• One image per person per year. Only one submission per participant is accepted
• Copyright transfer. By submitting, participants agree to transfer the image copyright to the SSM
• No AI-generated content. Submitted images must not be generated or substantially modified by artificial intelligence
• Minimum resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels, in png or jpg/jpeg format
• Each submission must be accompanied by:

• A short descriptive text about the image
• Image dimensions (pixels)
• Resolution (PPI)
• Magnification (if the image was captured using a microscope)

How to Submit

Please send your image and the requested details by mail to secretary@swissmicrobiology.ch.
 Submission deadline for 2026 Contest: 30 November 2026

We look forward to discovering the remarkable visual work produced by our community and to celebrating the microbiology behind every image.